I hope you’ll pardon the “Top 5’s” lack of punctuality this week. I just returned from a set visit in Louisiana and WiFi was at a premium throughout most of my travels. Although I can say almost nothing about the visit as of now, just know that I arrived there just a touch on the cynical douche side and left really looking forward to the next entry in an iconic horror franchise.

With that out of the way, let’s get to the reason we’re all here: the stories. In this week’s installment, you’ll find fifteen things to know about Summit Entertainment’s upcoming alien invasion pic The Darkest Hour, a dinner/interview with Paul‘s Simon Pegg and Greg Mottola, a recap of the Alamo Drafthouse’s screening of the original Fright Night featuring a Q&A with director Tom Holland, Bryan Cranston talking Breaking Bad, Drive, his near appearance in X-Men: First Class among other things, and the latest iteration of our video/audio podcast For Your Consideration. You’ll find brief recaps and links to all of the above after the jump.

1. 15 Things to Know About THE DARKEST HOUR; Producers Timur Bekmambetov and Tom Jacobson Discuss the Film from Moscow

Just because we’ve all witnessed at least 100 alien invasion films (give or take) in our lives doesn’t mean we’ve seen it all. For instance, before the first trailer for The Darkest Hour, I can’t remember seeing little orbs completely eviscerate humans and dogs alike. If that little tease isn’t enough to get you interested in Summit’s upcoming film, perhaps Steve’s list of fifteen things to know about the film supplemented by his interview with producers Timur Bekmambetov and Tom Jacobson from the roof of Moscow’s Hotel Ukraina are. Click here to read and judge for yourselves.

If you like dinner, Simon Pegg, Greg Mottola, Paul, and/or Blu-rays/DVD’s then you’re in luck. Click here to check out an interview in which our own Hunter Daniels partakes in all of the above in one sitting (Especially recommended for those who may have grown tired of the “aliens want to devour our planet” approach and instead prefer the “aliens want to share our pot with us” take).

With a seemingly never ending stock of remakes flooding Hollywood (for better or worse), it’s always nice to remember that watching the original is often a viable and rewarding option. Scott Wampler did just this a few weeks ago when he attended the Alamo Drafthouse’s screening of 1985’s Fright Night, followed by a Q&A with its director Tom Holland (who also helmed Child’s Play). Click here for his recap of the festivities and enjoy a break from the rigors of reboot/remake fever.

4. Bryan Cranston Talks BREAKING BAD, DRIVE, How He Almost Appeared in X-MEN: FIRST CLASS, More

Although I loved both him and the series alike, I never thought that Seinfeld‘s Dr. Tim Whatley would become one of the most sought after actors working today. Boy, was I wrong. It seems as if all Bryan Cranston knows how to do is turn in solid performances regardless of the medium or material. From the set of the Total Recall remake (there’s that word again), Cranston talked with Steve about the future of Breaking Bad, Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, how he nearly played Kevin Bacon’s role in X-Men: First Class, writing/directing his own material, and more. Click here for the Breaking Bad stuff and click here for the rest.

5. FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION – RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, STAR TREK 2, More

I love talking about movies. That said, whenever my immediate family and friends get tired of my incessant filmic chatter (a phenomenon that occurs pretty frequently), I have to turn to the next best thing: watching, listening, and/or reading other people talk/write about movies. If you find yourself in this predicament on occasion, might I recommend getting acquainted with our own video/audio podcast For Your Consideration? In this latest installment, topics of discussion range from Rise of the Planet of the Apes to The Change-Up with a little bit of Star Trek 2 talk mixed in amongst other things. Click here to check it out and give your non-film geek acquaintances a 45-minute break.

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